Western Bulldogs forward six ‘adapted’ to start season without Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

Western Bulldogs will unveil an “adapted” attack against Essendon as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan continues his flexible return plan.

The Western Bulldogs have prepared this pre-season to play without Jamarra Ugle-Hagan who remains away from the club amid personal challenges and will show a glimpse of its “adapted” forward line in front of a packed house on Saturday.

The Bulldogs host Essendon in a practice game this weekend which star forward Ugle-Hagan will not play in as part his fluid return to the club.

Ugle-Hagan could go to Perth with the Indigenous All Stars team this weekend in a non-playing role but remains under “no timeline” to return to the Bulldogs.

Rising star Sam Darcy says the Bulldogs’ forwards have prepared to shape up without Ugle-Hagan, which will likely be revealed in match simulation on Saturday.

“Over the summer we’ve been working well as a forward group through all our match Sims, we’ve adapted to playing without him (Ugle-Hagan) if the case happens,” Darcy said.

“I think through Matt Spangher (forward coach) and the support coaches, I think we’ve put together a really good block and I think success can happen with the group we’ve got at the moment.”

Sam Darcy says the Bulldogs have worked hard at preparing to start the season without Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

That adjusted forward line is unlikely to include additional minutes inside 50 to superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli despite his career-best 32 goals last season.

Bontempelli says his 2025 preparation has not included any extra time forward and is backing Darcy, Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman to deliver if they are to play without Ugle-Hagan.

“Not more than any other pre-season, to be honest, it’s always going to be an aspect of my game I can hopefully continue to explore,” Bontempelli said.

“The team might look different from the (elimination) final last year on multiple fronts and that’s just the evolution of the game, the evolution of players you want to put their hand up.

“That’s going to be one thing at this point that’s going to be different, I don’t really see it changing too much just yet from my perspective.

“I am pretty confident with Sam, Aaron, Cody and the other guys around there to have a pretty strong influence.

“It shouldn’t look too different to previous years.”

Originally published as Western Bulldogs forward six ‘adapted’ to start season without Jamarra Ugle-Hagan